Apparatus for lifting liquids



Sept. 27, 1938.

` F. E. KEY

APPARATUS FOR LIFTING LIQUIDS Filed Ju l`y `5, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Sept. 27,` 1938. F. E, KEY' 2,131,183

APPARATUS FOR LIFTING LIQUIDS Filed July 5, 1935 4 sheets-sheet 2 Sept.27, 1938. F. E. KEY

APPARATUS FOR`LIFTING LIQUIDS Filed July 5, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 5defi/Zr' sept.27,193s. man` f 2,131,183

I APPARATUS FORLIFTING LIQUIDS l' Filed July 5, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet .4'

Z Heier/'aff Patented Sept. 27,

UNITI-:DA STATES PATENT omer:

This invention relates to apparatus for lifting liquids by gas pressureand has particular utility in pumping wells and especially oil wells.

An object of this invention is to provide eilicient means for liftingliquids by gas pressure and for elevating liquids a great height bymeans of comparatively low pressure..

Another object of this invention is to provideV means for liftingliquids by gas pressure which 1 will conserve pressure and obtainmaximum work out of the energy required.

Another object is to provide a liquid lifting means utilizing a gasunder pressure so arranged and adapted as to conserve the volume of gasrequired in its operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for elevatingliquids which will eillciently lift liquids at a comparatively low rateof flow, whereby, when applied to an oil well, for example,

the well may be pumped continuously and, at the same time, eillciently.By taking the oil from' the well continuously, as fast as it flows in,back pressure is prevented, thus enhancing the production. Also thetendency of sand to plug the well is reduced.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide liquid lifting meanssuitable for well pumping without the use of moving mechanical meanssuch as sucker rods and piston within the well, to eliminatedifllculties which attend such use.

Another object is to provide means for pumping an oil well which willagitate the oil less than conventional methods, to prevent freeinggaseous components. A further object is to provide apparatus for thispurpose which may be readily flushed with a solvent to dissolve paralllnor gum deposit without pulling the apparatus from the well.

In oil wells, there is usually a quantity of water present and the oiland water stratify, with the oil on top. By conventional methods it isnecessary to lift all of the water above the level of the pump inletbefore the oil can be reached. By pumping from the top of the liquidbody the oil may be evacuated without the use of power to lift thewater. An object of this invention is to provide means for pumping awell from the top of the liquid body at a range oi levels.

Other and specific objects will be apparent from the following detaildescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a'diagram of apparatus embodying and utilizing the inventionFig. 2a is a view showing details of construction of the upper part of adevice embodying the invention in a well; Fig. 2b is a view showingdetails of construction of the lower part of the device and is acontinuation of the view shown in Fig. 2a; Fig. 3 is a diagram of apneumatic system of control including valves and valve operating andtiming mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a detail, partly in section of the twoway valves included'inthe system showny on Fig. 3

Fig. 5 is a detail, partly in section of pressure regulator valvesincluded in Fig. 3

Fig. 6 is a diagram of a modification in which the well pressure is usedto operate the system; and 10 Fig. 7 is a diagram of a furthermodiilcation in which subatmospheric pressure alone is used.

A plurality of superimposed chambers, I, 2, 3,

4, 5, 6, "I, Il, 9 and I0, are connected alternately to gas pressurelines A and B, the odd numbered 15 chambers being connected with A andthe even numbered chambers being connected with B. The bottom chamber Ihas a port II communieating with a bodyof liquid in which that chambermay be immersed. 'Ihe intermediate and top 20 chambers each has a. tubeI2 extending downwardly into and open near the bottom of the nextsucceeding chamber. A discharge pipe I3 extends downwardly into andopens near the bottom of the top chamber I0, discharging prefer- 25 ablyat atmospheric pressure.

Means are provided for producing gas pressures of diiferent magnitude inthe lines A and B respectively and for reversing the relationships. Thatis to say, a superatmospheric pres- 30 sure first may be provided inline A while a subatmospheric pressure is provided in line B. ai'terwhich the pressures are reversed in the two lines. Two-way valves I 4and I5 are provided for the lines A and B, respectively, each openingits line 35 selectively to a line I6, leading to a source of gaspressure and a line I'I leading to a suction device, or through a valveI8 to atmosphere.

Preferably, means is provided for connecting the lines A and B,illustrated diagrammatically 40 as a valve I9.

'I'he valves I4, I5 and I9 may be operated by timing mechanism, toproduce successive cycles, each comprising the following phases: I. Inwhich the valve II is operated to openk and then v4,5 to close the lineA to pressure, while the valve I5 opens and then closes the line B tosuction; II. In' which the valve I9 connects and then disconnectsL thelines A and B III. In which for a period, thellne B is open to pressureand the line A is open 50 to suction; and IV. In which the lines A andB' are again connected.

'Ihe result of the operation is that liquid will be liftedsimultaneously from alternate chambers into the complementary chambersrespectively. 55

The ports II and the tubes I2 are provided with check valves 20 toprevent back ow.

'I'he tube I3 is provided with a float valve 2I, the details of whichare shown in Fig. 2a. This valve is' so constructed as to prevent thegas un- 60 der pressure from blowing by after the top chamber-has beendrained below the bottom of the tube I3.

The foregoing is a brief description of the.

embodiment as speciflcially shown in the drawings, while the essentialfeatures of the invention are included in the appended claims. Thefollowing supplemental description will assist in understanding andpracticing the invention.

The superimposed chambers I to Ill, may be of a number and constructionto suit the purposeto which they may be applied. For example, when usedin a well they may be of ordinary tubing 22, oi a size which enablesthem to be inserted readily in a well casing 23.

The diameter of the chambers,` of course, may be varied to suitrequirements. The length will depend upon the depth of the liquid inwhich the line of chambers may be immersed and the pressure to be used.If chambers 100 feet in length are used, making a total maximum lift ofnearly 200 feet from the bottom of one chamber to the top of the next, adiilerential pressure of approximately 100 pounds per square inch isrequired. o

The pressure line I6, connectible selectively with the lines A and B,taps a source of pressure, such as a storage tank 24, supplied by ac'ompressor P, while the line |1 may be connected with the intake of thecompressor, or open to atmosphere, as indicated by the valve |8.

The closed circuit, using-pressure on one side and suction on the other,has advantages and especially in pumping oil. It conserves power andalso conserves, whenessential, the gas used in the system. In pumpingoil a gas other than air should be used, otherwise an explosive mixturewill result and present ahazard. Thus, if a gas having an intrinsicvalue is employed, the closed system results in conserving the gas.-l

The valve I9, or equivalent means for connecting the lines A and B, isprovided also as a measure of economy and not of necessity, since thechambers may be exhausted directly to atmosphere by the valves I4 andI5. But whether air or another gas is used, energy is conserved by firstequalizing the pressure in the lines A and B by their connection, ratherthan exhausting the pressure in the line at the end of a pressure iphase.

Details of a typical installation of those parts of the apparatusinserted in a well are shown in Fig. 2a and 2b. The construction is suchthat the device may be readily assembled and placed in the well. Thechambers are formed of tubing 22 connected by suitable fittings 26 towhich are attached plates 21 separating the chambers, later described inmore detail. The lines A and B are contained within the tubing and opento the appropriate chambers.

A iltting 26 is secured to the bottom of the tube forming the chamber I.It is internally threaded at both ends and has a conical seat 28 toreceive an annular block 29, which is bored to form the port and whichsupports a housing 30 for a check valve: 20. The block 29 is held on itsseat by a jam nut 3| having external threads to engage correspondinginternal threads on the fitting 26. A strainer 32 may be supported bythe iitting 26 as shown.

The plates 21 separating the chambers are conical in form to fit onconical seats 28 in the ttings 26. Each is secured in position by a jamnut 3|. Each of the plates 21 is bored and threaded to receive andsupport a tube I2 which opens into the chamber above the plate andextends downwardly into the chamber below the plate. The plate 21forming the top-wall of the' chamber is bored and'threaded to receivethe lower end of the line A in such'a manner that the line is open intothe chamber I, and the plate forming the top wall of the chamber2likethe second this opening isprovided by means' of a fitting 34 on theappropriate line and having a port 35 in its wall situated at the upperend of the chamber.

A housing 38 for a check valve 20 is threaded on the end of each of thepipes I2.

The casing head includes a block 31 in which the top of the tubing 22 isthreaded and thereby supported. The block 31 rests upon an annularilange 38 threaded to the casing 23. A cap 4|) engages an annularsurface on the top of thev block 31 and the block 31, flange 38 and cap40 are held together by bolts 4| to seal the casing. The cap is boredand threaded to support the discharge tube I3 which extends downwardlyinto the top chamber and also the pipe |3a forming a part of thedischarge conduit and leading to storage. 'I'he cap 40 is also bored topass the lines A and B, which are packed with glands 33.

The float valve 2| on the bottom of the tube I3, as specifically shown,includes an annular seat 4| with portsv 42 opening into the tube I3 fromthe vtop chamber I0. A valve member 43 carried by a sleeve 44, to whichis secured a float 45, is adapted to reciprocate vertically on the tubeI3 and when the level of liquid in the4 chamber I0 fallsbelow apredetermined level to cover and close the ports 42. A collar 46 issecured to the pipe I3 to limit the uppermost position of the sleeve 44.It will be understood that the chamber I8 will empty before the otherchambers because the liquid needy be forced to only approximately thetop of this chamber, while with the other chambers the maximum lift,from the bottom of one chamber to the top-of the next, is nearly twiceas great. The timing of the cycles and the pressure will be arranged sothat the other chambers will not be emptied to a point below the bottomof the respective pipes I2. Thus, with the iloat valve 2|, andthe timingand pressure properly arranged, no gas in the system need be lost exceptthrough absorption.

Valve and timing mechanism for operating the system may be ofwidelydifferent forms. VThe timing system may be operated mechanically,electrically, or pneumatically, as desired and as most convenient. Apreferred system of pneumatically operated valves is showndiagrammatically in Fig. 3. The system illustrated in thatiigure'operates to produce the four-phase cycle heretofore described.The lines A and B may be connectedV by means equivalent to that of thesingle valve I9 but arranged in such a way that the entirecycle may becontrolled by two lines. The valves I4 and`|5 are adapted to open thelines A and B respectively, either to `line I6, connected with thepressure tank 24, or to a common line 41 which may be connected byvalves 48 and 49. in parallel, to the line I1 vso leading to a suctionreceiver 66.

The valves I4 and I6 are as shown in Fig. 4. Each valve includes a lowerseat 62 and an upper seat 63 for valve members 64 and 66 respectively,both carried by a stem I6 secured to a4 flexible diaphragm 61 andnormally held in upper position by a spring 66. The arrangement is suchthat in the absence of pressure on the diaphragm l1 the upper valvemember 66 will seat closing the line I6, and lower valve member 64 willopen the line 41. Pressure upon the diaphragm 61 will depress the valvestem and seat the valve member 64, thus closing the line 41 and openingthe line I6.

The construction ot the valves 46 and 49 is shown in detail in Fig. 5.Each includes valve members 69 carried by a stem 60 normally heldinuppermost or closed position by a spring 6I and adapted to be presseddownwardly to open position by pressure upon a diaphragm 62.

The valves I4 and 46 are controlled by a single line 63 and the valvesI6 and 49 are controlled by a single line 64. The lines 69 and 64 areconnected to and controlled by a timing device 66. This device is oneavailable commercially and need not be described in detail. It consistsessentially of a clock mechanism rotating a pair of cams, operatingvalves respectively which are adapted to introduce pressure into thelines 64 and 64.

The pressure for the timing mechanism 66 is received from a line 66,connected to the pressure tank 24 and having therein a illter 61 and aregulating valve 66. The illter may be of known commercial constructionand the regulating valve 68 may be also of known commercialconstruction, preferably adapted to supply pressure at approximately 20pounds per square inch. It will now be understood that the constructionand arrangement of the valves I4 and I6, as controlled by the mechanism6I, is such that with pressure on their respective diaphragms they willopen their line, A or B, to the pressure line I6 and upon release frompressure they will open their lines to the common line 41, which mayalso be connected through either oi the valves 46 and 49 to the suctionline il.

The timing mechanism is arranged to produce a cycle containing the tourphases as previously described but which may be described more in detailin connection with the speciilc mechanism, as follows:

Phase I.-Pressure is placedon the line 69 and is released on the line64; valve I4 thereby opens line A to line I6; valve I5 opens line B toline 41, which is opened by valve 48 to suction line I1, While valve491s closed; and, therefore, the line A is open to pressure, and theline B is open to suction.

Phase IL Pressure is released on line 63 while it remains released online 64, thus both lines A and B are open only to line 41 while thevalves 48 and- 49 are both closed and the lines A and B are therebyconnected.

Phase IIL-Pressure is introduced into line 64 while pressure remainsreleased in line 63; the

line A thereby remains open to line 41, which through valve 49 is opento suction line I1, valve 48 being closed, and the valve I6 opens line Bto pressure in line I6; and, therefore, the line A is open to suctionand the line B open to pressure.

Phase IV.Pre,ssure is released on both control lines 63 and 64, therebyconnecting lines A connection with Phase each operated by a It will beunderstood that the cycle lIust 'Iiediaphragm device 6I constructed andarranged 3 andBthroughline 41 aspreviouslydescribedin II scribed will berepeated in succession under the control of the timing mechanism 6l.

To provide pumping from the top of the liquid body. ports 69 and checkvalves 16 may be provided in some or all of the chambers, ifsuction isnot put on the chambers, that is, if superatmospheric pressure is usedon onel side.- of the system and atmospheric pressure is used on theother side. These ports permit lifting of liquid from their levelsrather than from the bottom oi' the well. or the level'oi' the port II.As speciacally illustrated in Fig. 1, ports 69` are provided in thechambers I, I and l. 'I'hey function in the manner presently described.Assuming that there are ten chambers each 100 i'eet long, the devicewill reach to a depth of 1000 feet with the port II at that level and inthe absence oi the ports 69 liquid would be pumpedfrom that point.

y Assuming that oil is standing in the well casing at approximately the500 foot level as indicated by the line marked Liquid level with 200feet of oil leaving 300 feet of water above the port II, oil will i'iowthrough the port 69 in the chamber 6 until it nlls the chamber, in theabsence of pres-- sure in the line A, and the chamber 6 will be illledvery quickly. 'I'he flow will be at a much more rapid rate than ilowupwardly through the pipe I2, which extends into the chamber 4, underinfluence of pressure in the line B. If the chain'-4 ber 4 is illledwith water and the chamber l is being filled through its port 69 withoil.- there will be la relatively small ilow of water from the chamber 4into the chamber 6. The proportion depends, oi course, upon the headpressure ci the liquid in the well, the amount o! pressure exertedthrough the pipe B and the relative size oi' the openings in the pipe I2and the portY 69. Under ordinary circumstances these factors will be soproportioned that `only a small amount of water will be lifted with theoil.

If the uid line in the well drops below the port 69 in the chamber 6 themaior portion of the liquid lifted then will be that which enters thesystem through the port 69 in the chamber 3.-

course, a small percentage of liquid from thel lower chambers assuggested. It will be obvious,

of course, that' ports 69 may be placed in the other chambers whennecessary or desirable. The advantages in the use 'oi' the intermediateports 69, in connection with pumping oil wells, will be obvious. Wherethere is water in the well the oil will rise to the top and form a layerfrom which layer the lifting may be accomplished. It will be unnecessaryto exhaust the water in the well in order to raise the oil and only asmall amount of water will be pumped incidentally with the oil.- Thesystem will accommodate itself to a range of levels, with the majorportion of the liquid comprising that flowing through the highestimmersed port 69. While advantages result from the use of the ports 69and valves 16, their use will not be indicated universally, andespecially where suction is employed on one side of the system.Accordingly the use of these members is optional.

A pressure relief valve PR shown in Fig. 1', in connection with the tank24, may be provided especially where the closed system is used inpumping oil wells. Where suction is used volatile compounds in the wellmay 'increase the pressure in the system, ii not relieved, beyond thedesired range.

Frequently,f an cil weil will have a pressure sufilcient to operate thissystem, while insuillcient to ilow the well by conventional methods.Fig. 6 illustrates an application of the system to utilize the wellpressure as a source of energy. 'I'he pipe I6 in this case is connectedwith the well casing at the caprlll by aline 1I. 'I'he valves Il and I5may be operated as previously described. In this case there is nonecessity for connecting the two lines A and B. When operated as shownin this ligure one of the lines A or B willbe connected with the gaspressure in the well while the other line will be open to atmosphere. i

As shown in Fig. 7, the system may be operated with atmospheric pressureon one side and with suction on the other. In that case the chambers ito l0 will be relatively short and suction will be appliedintermittently also to the dischargepipe I3. As shown in the ldiagramthis is accomplished by connecting a chamber 12 withthe pipe I3 andconnecting the line A with the chamber 12 by a line 13. A check valve 14covers a port 15 in the chamber 12, whereby the chamber may empty bygravity at atmospheric pressure when atmospheric pressure is restored inline A. In

this embodiment a check valve a instead of aV liquid in the bottomchamber i above the level in V the well, and the chamber need not befully immersed. In order to provide complete immersion of the bottomchamber l, it may be shorter than the others, if its diameter isincreased to provide the same capacity.

The device should be primed by filling alternate chambers and theprocess may then be initiated. A line 16 connectible With the line A bya valve 11, Fig. 1, is provided for priming the system through the lineA.

Pressure through the line A will force the liquid from the odd numberedchambers to the even numbered chambers, respectively, then pressure willbe applied through the line B to the even numbered chambers. 'I'hus theliquid is raised step by step causing an intermittent iiow through thedischarge pipe I3.`

Pumping equipment for ,oil wells is subject to deposits of parailn orgum, requiring the'equipment to be removed from the well for cleaning.With equipment embodying this invention a solvent for the deposit may beintroduced through the priming pipe 16 and the apparatus thus cleaned ina simple and economical manner.

Various advantages of the specific steps have been pointed out in theforegoing description, and especially that in connection with the use ofthe suction line and the equalization of pressure between the two linesA and B .between principal phases in the cycles.

As clearly indicated in the foregoing specication, parts of theinvention may be used without the whole and various changes may be madein the details of construction. within the scope of the appended claims,withoutdeparting from the spirit of this invention. In fact, apparatusdifiering very widely may be employed in practicing the method whileretaining many of its advantages.

I claim: V

1. In apparatus of the characterl described, including an upper and alower tubular. chamber adapted to be-inserted in a well and a pluralityof vertical tubes inside said chambers, a cylindrical connecting memberhaving, its ends threaded respectively to the adjacent ends of thechambers, a conical seat .intermediate said threaded connections, arigid conical wall member on said seat, a jamb nut threaded interiorlyin said connecting member and positioned to hold said wall member onsaid seat, orifices in said wall member, and means for anchoringsaid'tubes to said wall. .y

2. In apparatus of the characterA described the combination comprising apair oi' tubular members adapted to be connected end to end and insertedin awell, a tube extending longitudinally f and positioned to hold saidwall member on saidseat.

, 3. In apparatus of the character described the combination comprisinga pair of tubular members adapted to be connected end to end andinserted in a well, and means to form a connection for said tubularmembers and to form a Wall dividing said members into separate chambersrespectively including a thimble having its ends threaded respectivelyto the adjacent ends of the tubular members, a conical seat in thethimble intermediate said threaded connections, a rigid conical wallmember on said seat, and a jamb nut threaded interiorly in said thimbleand positioned to hold saidwall member on said seat.

4. In apparatus of the character described the combination comprising apair oftubular members adapted to be connected end to end and insertedin a well, a tube extending through one oi said tubular members andadapted to open into the other tubular member, and means to form aconnection for said tubular members and to form a wall dividing saidmembers into separate chambers respectively including a thimble havingits ends threaded respectively to the adjacent ends of the tubularmembers, a conical seat in the thimble intermediate Asaid threadedconnections, a rigid conical Wall member on said seat and having anorice threaded to receive an end of said tube, and a jamb nut threadedinteriorly in said connecting member and positioned to hold said wallmember in said seat.

FREDERICK E. KEY.

